THE MINISTRY OF STEAMPUNK
THE STEAMPUNK
HULLOWEEN
FESTIVAL
20-22 OCTOBER 2023
Below you will find the programme for the Hulloween Festival. We have some more features to add and the times for some of the features will be added closer to the event.
We can't wait to meet up with our friends again in the fabulous City of Hull to celebrate Hulloween II - the extra weekend of Steampunk Halloween fun that you've always wanted!
Friday Evening 20 October
On Friday evening we have two offerings to tempt your spookier side...
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NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROr
Between 7PM and 9PM on Friday evening we will be showing NOSFERATU the silent horror film in the Trintiy Market. The film will be accompanied by a live piano and vocal performance by Xander Armstrong and friends. You can find out all about it by following the link below.
There will be a bar and food vendors open.
GHOST WALK WITH MIKE COVELL
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Between 8PM and 9:30PM you can join local historian, author and expert on all things spooky Mike Covell on a walking tour of Hull’s ghostly myths and legends.
The walk will starts at the Andrew Marvell Statue outside the Hands on History museum in Trinity Square at 8PM, returning to the same spot at 9.30PM. Numbers are strictly limited, so advance booking is essential. The cost is £5 per head. To book your place on the tour, send an email to amazinghulltours@hotmail.com quoting reference ‘Steampunk’. Ages 20+ only.
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Saturday Daytime 21 October
Steampunk activities will include a Halloween Parade (& Zombie Shamble) from Paragon Square to Trinty Square, Steampunk markets in the Minster and Trinity Square, displays and features in Hepworth Arcade, Teapot Racing, music in the Minster and Trinity Arcade, Steampunk talks, the Old Curiosity Swap and more. Further details below (all locations and timings at this stage are subject to change)
the hulloween parade (and zombie shuffle)
Whether you are alive or dead, or somewhere in between, this is your chance to join us in your finest (?!) Halloween-themed costume or outfit as we take a leisurely Hulloween 'shamble' along the streets of Hull.
Meet up with other zombies, steampunks in their finery (a few of whom will likely be vampires or vampire-hunters in disguise), undead creatures, ghosts, vampires, clowns, witches, black cats, Wednesday Addams, walking cobwebs and any number of other Hulloweeny characters.
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We will meet at 10:00 on Saturday morning in Paragon Square and set off at 10:15 to make our way through the streets of Hull, ending up at the Steampunk markets at Trinity Square and Hull Minster.
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At the end of the parade, medals will be awarded to the best-dressed Adult the best-dressed Child and the best-dressed family (or other) group. So it's time to get your thinking hats on and decide what you are going to wear.
hulloween markets
On Saturday in the Minster and in Trinity Square from 10AM to 3PM there will a mixture of Steampunk and other Traders vying for your attention and your pennies. If you already have a Steampunk outfit this will be the perfect time to find that little something extra to make it even more special - or if you are just about to dip your toe into the water of Steampunk Fabulousness this will be an ideal time to make your first purchases - with plenty of amazing costumes to take inspiration from and lots of friendly traders to offer you their finest impartial advice!
choral music in the minster - S.C.O.N.E
Come and hear Lincoln's famous Steampunk Choir of Notorious Excellence S.C.O.N.E. who will be singing for your joy, entertainment and delight.
S.C.O.N.E. will performing in the Minster and possibly one or two other nearby locations.
If you need more songs about gin in your life, S.C.O.N.E. are the choir you have been looking for. Expect neo-Victorian choir tomfoolery, with copious references to tea, airships and even the war hippo cavalry!
teapot racing
Few Steampuink pastimes make more sense than Hulloween teapot racing. It's another high-adrenaline sport which combines that quintessentially Steampunk vessel from which one of our favourite beverages is served with the thrill of a race.
Come along and see how the sport works and why it has been attracting such a following. You are welcome to bring your own racing teapot along if you have one, but if not there are likely to be one or two teapots that can be driven by visitors who have arrived 'unarmed' (as it were).
Specially for the occasion there will be a spooky twist to the racing course. There will be a medal for the fastest time and possibly also for the slowest.
This will take place in Trinity Market at times to be announced.
ullalele
Ullalele is a progressive ukulele rock quartet, purveyors of the finest Steamplunk since the last years of the nineteenth century. Their music is inspired by early historical scientific romance, science and magic. They blend lyricism with great harmonies, and maybe darkly humorous but are always highly entertaining.
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Think Horrible Histories, only more highbrow.
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Ullalele will be playing in Trinity Market at a time to be announced.
hepworth arcade
In the magnificent building of Hepworth Arcade you can expect to find several shop units taken over for the Hulloween weekend by the Ministry of Steampunk and friends.
There will be displays including the 'Shop of Horrors' and other Steampunk/Halloween inspired creations, possibly including a family of Cybermen with slightly 'unusual' features.
There will also be literary talks and a 'Steampunk 101' talk where you can find out everything you need to know about Steampunk* if you are new to the scene.
Be sure to check the timetable nearer the time and to come back Saturday and Sunday as we will have different features each day.
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*well some of it anyway...
the old curiosity swap
The Old Curiosity Swap is an opportunity for participants to swap items with each other, such as trinkets, badges, patches or whatever else they wish to bring along. The principal rule is that no money must exchange hands - this is purely for swapping items.
You are of course free to take part in the trading of treasures at any time over the Festival but we will advertise one or more times and locations over the weekend when people wishing to take part in this fun activity can find each other more easily.
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Now where did I put that collection of badges and brooches I wanted to swap...
the origins of halloween
At 4PM on Saturday there will be a special service in the Minster dedicated to the Origins of Halloween.
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Why not come along and find out where it all started?
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You might just be surprised...
saturday Evening 21 October - the immortal ball
Saturday evening we will be holding the Immortal Ball - the centrepiece of the Hulloween Fesitval.
The Immortal Ball takes place in the sumptuous surroundings of the Guildhall and this year will combine exquisite catering (courtesy of Mrs Lovett and Sweeney Todd) followed by an opportunity to dance to the fabulous Retrobates.
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It promises to be the finest Halloween evening event of the season and we can't wait to see you all there.
The ball is so special it has it very own page here.
sunday daytime 22 october
On Sunday at the Hulloween Steampunk Festival there will be a Steampunk Market in Zebedee's Yard, performances by Ravens Morris in Trinity Square, Teapot Racing and Tea Duelling in Trinity Market, talks and displays in Hepworth Arcade, an Illicit Market and to round it all off a Grand Steampunk Parade. And if Mr Sweeney Todd survives the Immortal Ball, we might just be hosting a Facial Hair Competition, so don't forget to keep your facial hair in perfect order for the next few weeks...
zebedee's yard markets
On Sunday the Hulloween market will be located in Zebedee's Yard where you will have a further opportunity to start or build your collection of Steampunk artefacts, Steampunk outfits or other eclectic items.
ravens morris
Ravens Morris are the original Steampunk Border Morris dancers with a Street Theatre attitude.
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You wont find hankies or bells but you WILL find big sticks, cogs, drums and a fair bit of silliness!
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Ravens Morris will be performing several times during the day in Trinity Square - times to be announced.
TEA DUELLING
Do you have nerves of steel? Do you have what it takes to resist eating your dunked biscuit until the very last moment before it collapses in a mess?
If the answer it yes then you might be in with a chance to be crowned the Hulloween II champion in this most Steampunk of extreme sports.
The winner will automatically be entered into the World (yes World!!) championship at The Asylum Steampunk Fesival in Lincoln in August 2024 and will also go home with a Ministry of Steampunk medal.
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Come and see Tea Duelling in Trinity Market on Sunday - time to be announced
teapot racing
And on the subject of extreme Steampunk sports it doesn't get much hairier than Teapot Racing.
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Who will be fastest around the death-defying Hulloween Teapot Racing course today? Come and find out - come and take part - and you might even go home with a medal.
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In Trinity Market at times to be announced.
the illicit market
Nobody really knows whether the illicit market takes place. If it ever does, it might be going to take place on Sunday at Hulloween. It could possibly take place in Zebedee's Yard at some point.
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But you didn't read that here, did you?
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The Illicit Market is an opportunity for (cough) very small traders to (cough) come along for a very short while to (cough) operate beneath the radar of the 'authorities' (cough) for a spot of barter and purchase. Unlike the Old Curiosity Swop, money is allowed to change hands at the illicit market, or else it would if it ever happened.
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Which obviously it doesn't.
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You could find out more about the illicit market on the Ministry of Steampunk website if you were so inclined. But you probably aren't, because it never happens anyway
hepworth arcade
Imagine what a shock you would get if you came across an earnest gentleman such as the one you see here inviting you to peruse an array of weird and wonderful artefacts with a spooky, curious and even evil 'something' about them.
And what if said gentlemen and his shop of weird curiosities could be found in Hepworth Arcade on Sunday?
And what if there were talks going on too, including 'Steampunk 101'?
Well that would be something, wouldn't it?
facial hair competition
With none other that Mr Sweeney Todd inviting festival goers to this year's Immortal Ball it would seem remiss not to celebrate the occasion by holding a Facial Hair competition.
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You don't need a Y chromosome to enter the competition, but you do need facial hair, even if you have borrowed it for the occasion.
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The competition will take place in Trinity Market on Sunday at a time to be announced.
the steampunk grand promenade
Starting off from Zebedee's Yard Straight after the Illicit Market (which might or might not happen) the Grand Parade will be the perfect opportunity to show off your Steampunk Hulloween Finery as we parade in an approximately circular route, ending up at Trinity Square.
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At the end of the parade there will be medals awarded for the best Adult and Child costumes.
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Muster at 2PM in Zebedees Yard and the Grand Parade will set off at 2:30PM before returning to the Trinity Square/Zebedee's Yard area for you to do your final shopping of the weekend and take one last look at all the other attractions in Trinity Square, Trinity Market and Hepworth Arcade. ​
